Rail markets: implementing the market pillar

The market pillar directive will:

• establish the principle of open access to rail markets enabling new rail operators, subject to certain protections, to bid for access on to routes with existing franchise operators
• introduce measures to safeguard the independence and impartiality of infrastructure managers within vertically integrated structures - those structures where rail infrastructure and passenger services are operated and owned by a single body

We are also consulting on the amendments we will need to make to rail markets legislation following the UK’s exit from the EU.

The EU market pillar directive, EU 2016/2370, was completed in December 2016.